A very subjective look into AWFC

One of the best things about living in Los Angeles and being a football fan is the time difference. You might think I’m insane because that implies waking up at 4am most weekends to watch the girls play and sometimes it’s both days if the men also play. Truth be told I watch an average of 6 matches per weekend and my days start very. I love all of this because I have the entire day ahead of me and I don’t need to worry a lot for those previous hours that are normally filled with anxiety… I’m sleeping at that point and I skip all the nerves, usually.

Also, it’s a very intense situation in that I wake up, check my notifications and read about a transfer or contract renewal or better yet: a series of messages on WhatsApp groups that can be either news breaking or totally unrelated banter. It’s amazing.

The match of the season is less than 24 hours away and I feel a combination of confidence and also apprehension. I’m confident because we have beat them already last week, we exposed some of their flaws, and their manager left some people on the bench that allow us to beat them. Ironically I’m apprehensive about the same things… not sure we can beat this team twice in a row, or that Ada would be that quiet 2 matches consecutively, nor do I think Engen and Endler would ever make mistakes like that again, let alone ever again.

One thing that does give me confidence is if they play their “American midfield 3.” They are good, sure but they are a way more balanced team with Damaris playing there and this is not based on stats but just my eyes and opinion. Egurrola is one of the best defensive midfielders in world football and same with some of our players, if she’s not on the pitch, any team is weaker.

Even as a half american I don’t particularly care about USWNT players, only if they play for AWFC. But I will absolutely miss seeing Lindsey Heap play in Europe. What an absolute monster of a player, and a big Arsenal fan. I wish we would’ve signed her at some point but it wasn’t meant to be.

I’m having this vision of Katie scoring a banger and I hope I’m able to manifest that. Seems like she hasn’t scored in a very, very long time and this is the kind of match that she excels at and my wish is for her to remind everyone and their mother what an Rolls Royce of a player she is and will continue being for years to come.

My prediction is another 2-1 and I’m hoping it finishes after 90 mins because I’m playing pickleball and can’t watch extra time 😦

❤

d